Category Archives: Home Remedies

Health Benefits of Saffron

Health benefits of Saffron make it amongst the most common, sought after, researched spices.  The red colored spice  (yellow when interacting with food) has shown to be a key ingredient in healing the body,  including  its help in the treatment of a number of medical ailments such as: depression, macular degeneration, weight loss, asthma, menstrual discomfort.

With a botanical name  of Crocus Sativus  and commonly called saffron, this wonder spice is sought after from Europe to the Middle East.  Iran is the world’s largest producer of saffron which has researched saffron’s potential medicinal use specifically on how it reduces depression. The research at the Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital in Tehran University of Medical Sciences,  has found saffron to be a safe and effective antidepressant (due to carotenoid alpha-crocin).  Research preformed in Germany has confirmed the results.

While the University of Sydney Australia and  University of L”Aquila Italy have focused on improving the retina as related to macular degeneration through the consumption of Saffron Supplements.  After 3 months of ingesting the saffron the patients had considerable improvement in their vision.

Researchers in France had hypothesized that by improving ones mood through taking a saffron supplement, one could lose weight.  The results showed that in fact by improving ones mood and reducing depression that weight loss could be achieved.

Additional information has confirmed that saffron also totes the ability to ease stomach aches, kidney stones and alleviate bronchial constriction.

Saffron’s medicinal attributes come from minerals and vitamins: copper, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, selenium, zinc and magnesium.  Cartoenoids: α-crocin, zeaxanthin, lycopene, α- and β-carotenes; all  important antioxidants helping to protect a body from oxidant induced stress, cancers and infections. Vitamin A, folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin-C.

Saffron supplements have been found to be effective in studies, however, caution is advised if encountering any of the following:  nausea, vomiting, appetite loss or drowsiness. Consult a doctor if more serious side effects occur such as persistent vomiting, blood in the urine or stool’s, nosebleed or dizziness. These may all be signs of a saffron overdose. Use of saffron must be avoided by those with liver or kidney disease, allergies and bipolar disorder. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should also check with a doctor before using saffron.

Kim Crocker

Research Studies

http://www.itmonline.org/articles/saffron/saffron.htm
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15341662
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17704979 http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2010/s2805356.htm
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=weightloss%20saffron
http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/saffron.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15341662

Tuscan Home Remedy for Colds

Passed on from Tuscan natives to tourists and expats alike, this home remedy is tried and proven and will quickly heal those who are ailing from cold ailments, if  utilized multiple times throughout the day.  The idea behind the vapor treatments (done with vinegar and baking soda) is to disturb the present environment of the where the mucus is growing and a virus is thriving. Results after the first 2 treatments are immediately noticeable. This treatment is accepted by Doctor’s when addressing cold’s, however, should still be under advisement.  Often time’s when healing sinusitis and bronchitis, inhalation of vapor combined with eucalyptus drops may also be recommended.
Ingredients
6 cups Boiling water
1-2 Tea Bags
1/3 cup White or Apple Cider Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Baking soda
Have a large towel ready to create a tent as you cover your head over pan to capture and concentrate as many hot vapors as possible while inhaling.
1.  Boil 6 cups of water in medium to large size pan. Turn off stove and Remove pan placing it on to a hot pad on the  table.
2.  Add 1-2 Tea bags (Te`) to hot water in pan
3.   1/3 cup white or apple cider vinegar (Aceto or Aceto di Mela  to hot water)
4.   Cover head with a towel as to keep vapors inside tent,
5.  THEN slowly ADD 2  Tablespoons  Baking Soda (Biocarbinato)
6.   With mouth open inhale vapors that rise up. The first 10 seconds of inhaling the vapors are most important so don’t remove yourself from the bubbling reaction.
7  Utilizing the same pan of hot water, Repeat treatment 2 more times every 3 minutes by adding 1/4 cup vinegar and an additional 2 Tablespoons of Baking Soda. Your total first treatment will be for about 10 minutes.
Repeat 4-6 times throughout the day, may need to repeat for 2-3 days as needed.

ADD TO YOUR DAILY ROUTINE:
1.  Squeeze as much of the juice of a lemon as possible into a glass.  Fill the rest of the glass with water.  Over 20 minutes time consume the lemon water. The vitamin C and antioxidants from the lemon will contribute to strengthening ones immune system.
2.Eat oranges and grapefruit to maximize vitamin C intake.
2.  To Suppress coughing consume 4-6 tablespoons of honey throughout the day.
3.  Drink hot Green, Black or White Tea throughout the day. 6-8 cups to keep body hydrated; additionally, the polyphenols from the tea will combat the virus that the body is fighting against.
4. Gargle with salt water. 1/2 glass of water, 1 Tablespoon salt, stir together . Gargle mouthful’s of water at a time towards back of throat. BE CAREFUL not to swallow water.

Kimberly Crocker